crafty blog about toymaking, quilting and finding inspiration

fun news on a rainy day

I’m not very good with big news but hey, did I mention I’m writing a book? Yep. A big ole book, a real one, full of doll and toy patterns. And it’s going to be a STC/Melanie Falick Books book, pinch me!

I’m happy to be able to spill the beans. I probably could have earlier, or waited a lot longer, but I don’t know what the protocol is. I’m always taken by surprise when I read people are writing books, shocked actually. It’s just seems like such a monumental project to take on. And that’s the shock and awe I wake up to every morning. No, really, it has been a lot of fun so far. Dreaming up projects and sketching and just sewing like a maniac, oh and can’t forget fabric shopping like a crazy person. It’s been awesome, but it is really weird not to be able to share. So I’m sharing! While I can’t really show anything I’m working on, I can talk in code and vaguely refer to things. I can gripe and moan when I’m stuck or ask for opinions or beg for pattern testers and man oh man, wait til you see the “design process”. I’m saving all my rejects in a giant bag. That ought to be good for a laugh when the book is out.

I’m about halfway through the designing/sewing/instructions part and then will come all the writing. You’ll know when that part comes because I’ll probably fall off the face of the earth except for some grumbled curse words on twitter now and again. But no, I’m optimistic. I’m just going to pretend like it’s the blog and write right to you guys and hopefully it’ll come together easy peasy. Do you think they’ll let me say things like easy peasy?

Tim’s doing the diagrams which look amazing so far and I can’t wait to spill who’s doing the photographs, so flippin exciting. So, ok, that’s it, my fun news. I’d better get back to it now.

(and psst, since I’m spilling now while I’m still designing… I do have
pretty much everything decided but if there’s something you’d you like
to see sneak in there, slip me a note)

YAY!!!!! I am so flipping excited!!!!! I don’t normally pre-order books but I will definitely be doing that for yours. I adore all of your patterns and can’t wait to read all of the witty things that you’ll add to the book! Good luck!

i do not mean to sound like such a gusher, but this is the best news i have heard all year. you are the reason i took up sewing and the reason i try new things. i am so glad you are putting it into print.
as for suggestions…anything and everything you do it cute, so i think you have it under control…but maybe a few really good things for boys.
and if you have a moment, i would love to know what the doll hair is in the above photo. it looks perfect on her head, but i would love to get some of that on my needles. or is it under wraps? hope not.
huge congrats!!!

my girls just ran to the kitchen when they heard me shout, “yes!”…and i woke the baby. but, hey, it’s all worth it because you.are.writing.a.book. !!!!! which of course i will buy. 🙂 i’m sure that you have a ton of offers already, but i would love to pattern-test for you again (hurricane season is still a long way away!). xxx

I just love the way you and your husband design things so I know I’ll be pre-ordering this book! Congrats! Also, can I pretty please be a pattern tester? I need some inspiration and every time I look at something you’ve made I am thinking I would be so happy making something like that.
I would love to see a pattern for a tall spotted giraffe in the book. I made up a song for my little boy about one and so I really need to make one.
I can’t wait to see it best of luck.

Congratulations and good luck with the writing/designing! Melanie Falick Books are so well-done – beautifully designed and photographed. What a wonderful publisher for your first book. Can’t wait to see it!

Holy cow I am SOOOOOO excited!! Let me know when I can preorder.
And really?? Beg for pattern testers?? HAH!!! YOu will have people begging to do it (I will be one of those beggars! Really I would set all other projects aside for a Wee Wonderful pattern)

i am so so happy for you! you are the reason i took up crafting, sewing, everything. and it has changed my life (and left my pocketbook a little lighter, ahem). I can’t wait for it…the wait will be awful. I **love** the girl in the photo she looks like the girl in my plate & book from childhood, joan walsh something?
I know your book will be wonderful and I will give it out to everyone for presents with a kit. I am so proud to own two of your actual dolls…and many more of my own from your patterns, they are always the cutest! I still think you should do a children’s story book with your characters though.

ABOUT TIME!!! WOOOHOOO!!!!!!
Seriously, I was wondering how could book editors be so blind as not to beg you to write a book, since you have such a tremendous ammount of super cool, creative, FRESH stuff going on!!!!! Congratulations!!! I want to be a pattern tester, if you please. Pretty please with a cherry on top?

Ohh, exciting news! I will be snatching that one off the virtual shelf as soon at it goes on sale!
If you ever need a pattern tester, I’m up for the job. I have a few of your other patterns now that I’m working on, so I’m becoming familiar with your work. Just give me a shout if and when you need an extra helper. 🙂

Yay! So glad you’re joining the book “club”! You picked an excellent publisher.
I like the idea of showing the rejects someday, I’ve got a closet full myself. Every time my boys would come into my studio when I was struggling with a particular book project, I’d say “I created a monster!”. They would ask the next day, “So how’s that monster coming?” 🙂

So exciting! Congratulations.
I think they’ll let you say things like easy peasy. It’s your voice and it would sound all wrong if they tried to make you talk otherwise.
Looking forward to it and please count me in if you need any testing/proofreading. I’d be delighted to help.
All the best for the work ahead 🙂

Yay! This is so fabulous. Your designs are meant for a book, one of those definitive classics that will sell for hundreds of dollars on eBay in 25 years. And STC! You go girl! Enjoy the whole thing, xo Kathy

Not shocked in the least, about dang time, I’d say! :0)
(That’s what you’ll be saying when poor Phoebe finally gets my package, right?! Sorry, life’s been all about school fundraising and runny noses, lately.)

Wonderful!!! Your wonderful website is the reason my sewing machine was dragged out of the closet and dusted off! I even went to a Quilt sewing class tonight So you Go Girlie!!! I’m getting in line to buy a first edition. 🙂

You know, I was wondering why your posts had gotten short N sweet.
I am eagerly looking forward to your book and I hope that you include ideas for boys. It is so hard to find things for my little guys.

congrats! You can do it!!
If you need a tester I would love
to! What I would love to see is
a baby doll carrier for child and
a carrier for your doll to carrie
her own baby, if that make any sense.
Good luck, I am so excited for you!
Rane
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’m also excited about your book! Please, please put in some good doll patterns, and I second (or maybe third) the idea to add in some cute patterns for boys. I have three nephews and a niece and would like more ideas about what to sew them.

Oh this is great news! So many talented people are writing books these days, and I am so glad to see you added to this list! I have been waiting, thinking you would be next. I am sure your book will be fabulous…I will totally be buying a copy!

If they don’t let you write things like “easy-peasy”, then you need to request a different editor. 🙂
So pleased to hear you’re writing a book! It’s one of those all-is-right-with-the-world kind of moments.

Wow! I was thinking just he other day “Wouldn’t it be great if Wee Wonderfuls had a book?” and then I checked you site and you are making one! I can’t wait to see what kind of yumminess you put inside (and you talk in your book the way you do on here it’s going to be a wonderful read).

This is the best news EVER. I have a few of your patterns and they are my favorite … I can’t imagine a whole book full. Good for you. I would love to test a pattern … I’ll keep my eyes open for that post. Cheers.

This is fantastic!!! Of the craft blogger books out there I always thought you would be the best. I figured maybe you were happy self-publishing and that’s why you seemed to be the only blogger without a book deal. Your designs are so terrific and the patterns are so well constructed and will make a great book! I’m thrilled it will be by STC, that means the photos will be amazing!!!

Reading

My Book

A captivating gang of 24 huggable, lovable creatures to sew—from classics like Margot, a topsy-turvy doll, and the button-jointed teddy bear Bjorn Bjornson, to irresistible Evelyn, a wool felt inchworm decked out in mod glasses and a kerchief, and Koji, a fiercely cute spiked softie monster. There’s something for everyone here—from kids to grown-ups and from beginning sewers to advanced dollmakers. Published by STC Craft, August, 2010.